It's NOT God's fault! - News from the Field and around the World
If you are like me, at least once or twice a year, you may be embattled with something that is overwhelming, or tragic happening in your life. It may be the loss of a loved one, or simply a bad day at work that ended in a very serious situation. We all have those types of struggles if we are human…and I suggest that would be every one of us!
But, too often, the blame starts being placed on the wrong emphasis. We might say things like “it’s not my fault,” or “I wonder whose fault this is.” Even at times, we may be tempted to suggest that “it is God’s fault.” That is not, and will never be the case!
I remember a troubling time in my life at the loss of a loved one. One of my family members kept saying over and over again, “this is just not fair! I don’t deserve this God!” Was it God’s fault? Certainly not. Too many times, when we are at our weakest moments, we may look to place blame somewhere and honestly, it might even be a feeling of relief when we are able to “shake off” that blame to others. Sometimes, it might be a bit warranted. After all, remember what Adam said when God asked him about eating from the tree. His response was to blame Eve, and in turn blame the serpent which was blamed sort of on God! Oh boy. I guess that sense of blame must be hereditary all the way down from the first man and father of all, Adam…and yes, we got it too.
This past week has been challenging for many in our home base. Some of you may know the reference, but if not, one of our coworkers at the Central church of Christ saw some very difficult days. His two-year old son had an accident at their backyard pool and a few days later left this earth in the physical life. It was very difficult for me personally to see this. It was hard to believe. Even harder was seeing his family suffering from the sadness that came with those few days, and certainly will continue on. However, as Mike stated so eloquently in the hospital waiting room, “this is not a tragedy, and I want us to celebrate Cooper’s life.”
You see, it would be very easy for us to blame anything on everything, but through the tears, through the hugs, through the hours of prayer, this family saw the blessings of God. They were blessings of knowledge that their precious son is safe in the arms of Jesus. The family has certainly been sad during this time, but they also found happiness in salvation for eternity. One thing that brought such happiness in what otherwise would be a time of reflection - “Super Cooper” lives on in not only in eternity, but through organ donation, in which at least 3 lives have been saved thus far. So certainly, we can rejoice in knowing that Cooper was never far from the Lord.
Talking with someone the day of the funeral, it was mentioned that so many people would simply blame God. And, I suppose that is true. I cannot answer why that they would, and I probably cannot say that maybe I have not thought something similar in tragedy in my own life. But, is it really God’s fault? No. God created man in His own image and He said that all things were good. What we might miss sometimes is that God didn’t create death. That was Satan’s creation through sin. Because of that deception in the Garden of Eden, my body has aches and pains, my heart has sorrow many days, and my life has temptation that separates me from God when I act upon it. That is not God’s fault in any way. Matter of fact, God has done more to save us from being in this state of mind, body and heart than we can ever imagine. Romans 6:23 tells us that the wages of sin is death. That verse isn’t referencing the physical death as much as it is the spiritual death.
Mankind started dying the day that mankind started sinning. God is not to blame. God loves us. God wants us to live forever, and as is stated so beautifully in Revelation 21, there will be no tears, no sorrow, no pain, no suffering. All will be bliss for those that obey Him and keep faithful to His word. And we too can be reunited with Cooper and the saints in glory some day.
…can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me. 2 Samuel 12:23
Cooper Swims (2016-2019)
From the Field and around the World!
We have had several productive weeks in the Field Rep program and the Electronic Media Ministry. Here are some of the highlights:
Broadcast began in Baton Rouge, LA (thanks to the Gonzales church of Christ for sponsoring this broadcast)
Our time and day moved to Saturday at 7:00 in Chicago
We moved to a much bigger network in the Knoxville market
We have consolidated some of our series to make ordering and viewing much more streamlined
Our App surpassed 25,000 opens
Not only did we have this many exciting things happen, we had two very powerful interactions this month.
The first one came with a Media Request for digital downloads. In this request, the person indicated that they were on the verge of committing suicide and found our video titled “How to Make the Devil Mad” and watched it. He went on to say that he realized that it was Satan that was tempting him and that he wanted to get his life straightened out.
The second one was through a Facebook message that said “I need to repent and be baptized TODAY!” After some phone calls and messages, we were able to connect this viewer with a minister in his area and the next day they were able to study together and we now have a new brother in Christ as a result!
Lots of good things coming up as well. We hope that if you are visiting Polishing the Pulpit that you will stop by our booth and meet Beverly or myself and let us know who you are, pick up some DVDs and visit with us a while. We look forward to meeting you!
Until next month, may God continue great blessings and success for your spiritual life.
In Christ,
Joey